Coaching panel ‘bypassed’ in Sarjit exit, sources say

2026-03-26 - 22:40

The men at the centre of the Malaysian hockey crisis (from left) Manjit Abdullah, Subahan Kamal and Sarjit Singh. KUALA LUMPUR: Sarjit Singh’s controversial dismissal as national head coach has sparked questions within Malaysian hockey over how key decisions are made. Sources familiar with the matter said the coaching and development committee did not take part in discussions before the move was finalised. The committee, which oversees coaching structures and performance matters within the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), typically plays a role in evaluating coaching appointments. Its absence from this decision has raised concerns within hockey circles. Sources said the MHC executive board, led by president Subahan Kamal, made the call after the recent World Cup qualifier in Egypt. Malaysia secured qualification but slipped in the world rankings following defeats in the tournament. While rankings have emerged as a key factor, sources said the process behind Sarjit’s sacking has drawn as much attention as the outcome. “The committee was not consulted before the decision was made,” one source said. That, the source added, was unusual given the committee’s technical role. Several within the hockey fraternity have begun to question how much influence the coaching and development committee holds. One source described the situation as a “disconnect” between technical oversight and executive authority. “If the coaching committee is not involved in decisions on the national coach, then what exactly is its role?” the source said. Another said such decisions would normally involve input from those tasked with assessing performance and long-term planning. “Technical matters should go through the technical body,” the source said. “Otherwise, the structure becomes unclear.” The issue has drawn further attention because the same committee played a role in Sarjit’s appointment. He joined the national setup with the understanding that the panel would oversee technical matters, including performance evaluation. For some, that context makes the latest development harder to reconcile. “The committee was involved when he came in,” one source said. “Now it appears not to have been involved when he went out.” The sources also said there has been no indication that player dissatisfaction influenced the move. Those familiar with the squad described the relationship between players and the coaching staff as stable during the qualifying campaign. “There was no dressing room issue,” one source said. Timing and process under scrutiny The timing of Sarjit’s expulsion has also raised questions. With the World Cup just months away, changes to the coaching structure usually follow a review procedure, and come with a clear transition plan. Sources said it remains unclear whether a full post-tournament assessment took place before the decision. “Normally you would review the campaign, look at the report, and then decide,” one source said. “In this case, people are asking whether that practise was followed.” It is understood that the coaching and development committee will meet on Sunday to discuss the matter. The meeting could provide clarity on the committee’s position and its role moving forward. Committee chairman Majid Manjit Abdullah declined comment. Broader concerns Beyond the immediate situation, some see the episode as part of a larger issue. One source said the situation highlights the need for clearer structures within Malaysian hockey. “There must be alignment between the technical side and the leadership,” the source said. “Otherwise, decisions will always be questioned.” For now, the circumstances surrounding Sarjit’s abrupt exit have left those questions unresolved, with attention now turning to what comes next.